Herrig (14-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) defeated Casey (7-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC) by split decision in their strawweight bout, which took place on Saturday’s preliminary card at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. In the midst of the action, both fighters flipped each other off and Casey actually threw some blood in Herrig’s direction.

The situation may have angered other fighters, but Herrig said she enjoyed it and took everything in stride.

Related

“We both went full Nick Diaz,” Herrig said after the fight. “She got a little upset because I got her with the shot and saw it on her face. Fighters get emotional. She flicked a booger at me – it was great. It was entertaining for the fans. I like being in entertaining fights. I’m not mad at her. It was cool. I was entertained by it. I thought it was entertaining. … It was a booger chunk. It was a booger blood chunk.”

Blood-slinging aside, Herrig and Casey had a competitive three-round fight. “Lil’ Bulldog” left the octagon with her fourth consecutive victory in the 115-pound division, which is the longest active streak in the weight class.

Herrig closed her eyes and was hoping for the decision to go her way while Bruce Buffer was reading the cards, but she said that wasn’t because she thought she lost. She said it was because of the unpredictable nature of MMA judging.

“I definitely thought I had the ‘W,’ but you never know with judges,” Herrig said. “It was hard to tell just because she had the range on me. I thought I landed more shots. She was wanting to lure me in with punches. I could see that. I had to pick and choose my shots.”

On arguably the best run of her career, Herrig said she believes she’s in good position to challenge of the title sooner than later. Joanna Jedrzejczyk is likely to get a rematch with Rose Namajunas after losing the belt in stunning fashion at UFC 217 this past month, but Herrig doesn’t think she’s far behind.

“Four in a row I think I’m coming in like a dark horse,” Herrig said. “I don’t care (who is next), honestly. Every time I think I want somebody they give me somebody else, so I really don’t give a (expletive).”